Steam silver-plated plate for amalgamating gold



(No Model.)

G. H. CHICK. STEAM SILVER PLATED PLATE FOR AMALGAMATING GOLD SILVER,

0R COPPER.

Patented Oct. 13

I4 ffl il .ffl Il! .lin VA VA ffl 7! UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE II. CHICK, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

STEAM SILVER-PLATED PLATE FOR AMALGAMATING GOLD, SILVER, OR COPPER` SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 460,946, dated October 13, 1891.

Application filed June 22, 1891. Serial No. 397,040. (No model.)

To all wwm it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE II. CHICK, of Kansas City, Jackson county, Missouri,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam Silver-Plated Plate for Amalgamatin g Gold, Silver, or Copper, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to appliances for am algam-ating gold, silver, copper, &c.; and the object of my invention is to produce an amalgamator which shall be simple, durable, and comparatively inexpensive in construction, and which shall operate with the highest degree of rapidity and efficiency.

To the above purpose my invention consists in certain peculiar and novel features of construction and arrangement, as hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that my invention may be fully understood I will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying' drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my improved amalgamator. Fig. 2 is a central transverse section of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is ahorizontal cross-section of the same on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section of the same on the line et 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an inner view of the face-plate of the amalgamator. Fig. G is a side elevation of the amalgamator with its face-plate removed.

In the said drawings, l designates the bac-k portion of my improved amalgamator, the said portion being in the form of a flat plate preferably of rectangular form, as shown, and of any suitable or preferred dimensions as circumstances may require. This plate is preferably of cast-iron or copper, and is also galvanized, so as to prevent the body of the plate from being eaten away by rust.

2 and 3 designate, respectively, the two sides and the top and bottom portions of the amalgamator, saidsides and top and bottom pieces extending at right angles from the inner side of the plate l and being preferably formed integrally with the same.

4t designates the face-plate of the amalgamator, said face-plate corresponding in form with the back plate l and being secured in position upon the edges of the side pieces 2 and the top and bottom pieces 3 by screwbolts 5, which are inserted through the rear plate l and side and top pieces 2 and 3, and the screw-threaded ends of which enter the inner face of the face-plate 4, but do not pass entirely through said face-plate. The said face-plate may be secured in position in Various other ways; but this is the preferred manner, inasmuch as it leaves the outer surface of the face-plate intact and unbroken, the heads of the screw-bolts 5 being located at the outer surface of the back plate. The outer surface of the face-plate i is coated with silver.

Vtithin the space or interior of the amalgamator thus constructed are placed a number of parallel plates 6, Which are alternately of copper and zinc and 4which may either stand vertically, as shown, or horizontally or obliquely, as preferred. These plates are each provided with any desired number of holes or perforations 7 for a purpose to be explained, andthe edges of said plates are shown as resting in the grooves 9 in the inner surface of the face-plate i.

In one end of the top piece 3 is inserted a suitable inlet-valve 9 for steam, and in the opposite end of the bottom piece 3 is inserted a suitable outlet-valve 10 for steam.

The face-plate 4 is further retained in position by a bolt 1l, the inner end 12 of which extends at right angles from the body portion of the bolt, and this end lies in contact with the inner surface of the face-plate and is secured to the face -plate by a screw 13, l

which passes transversely through the end l2 and enters the inner surface of the face-plate, but does not pass entirelythrough said faceplate. The opposite or outer end of this bolt ll is externally screw-threaded and passes entirely through the middle of the back l and receives a nut lat, which abuts against the outer surface of the back l, and thus retains the parts in position.

After the ore to be amalgamated has been properly prepared for the amalgamator it is heaped up against the outer surface of the :so

face-plate, and steam is turned into the indicator of the amalgamator and flows througl the openings 7 of the plates 6, completelyiillir, the interior of the amalgamator and flovvi vzo out through the outlet-valve 10. This steam highly heats the plates 6 and face-plate 4 and sets up a galvanic action in the alternate zinc and copper plates, which is communicated to the face -plate, and which thus causes the face-plate to rapidly and thoroughly collect all of the gold, silver, or copper in the ore and deposit the same upon the outer surface of the plate, the ore being thoroughly stirred during the action of the plate to thoroughly expose all parts of the ore to contact with the` face of the plate.

It will thus be seen that the amalgamator is very simple and durable in con-struction and rapid and thorough in operation.

The face -plate can be readily removed Whenever desired vand fresh plates 6 can be easily substituted for those which may become depleted. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new-therein7 and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. An improved amalgamator consisting of a chamber having inlet and outlet valves for steam, and alternate plates of copper and zinc located Within said chamber and having each a number of openings formed in it, substantially as set forth.

2. An improved amalgamator comprising a suitable backing, side pieces, and top and bottom pieces, a face-plate removably secured upon the edges of the top and bottom and side pieces, a number of alternate copper and zinc plates interposed between the back and face plates and havinga number of holes or openings, and inlet and outlet valves for steam communicating with the space between the back and face plates, substantially as set forth.

.In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE H. CHICK.

Witnesses:

J No. L. CoNDRoN, H. E. PRICE. 

